“Last year we started changing the PC industry with the introduction of our first wave of Ryzen processors – delivering more performance, features, and choice to our customers than before. Our 2nd Gen Ryzen CPUs continue this pursuit by raising the standards for enthusiast gamers and creators,” said Jim Anderson, senior vice president and general manager, Computing and Graphics Business Group, AMD. “With this launch we’re also demonstrating that we are just getting started, that we are committed to delivering a multi-generational roadmap of leadership high-performance processors that will drive innovation and competition into the industry for years to come.”

Building on the original award-winning 2017 “Zen” architecture, the 2nd Gen Ryzen processors combine the improved “Zen+” core with other major performance, feature, and platform advancements.

Performance Advances

The new “Zen+” core increases IPC[vi] and reduces both cache and memory latencies[vii] compared to 1st Gen Ryzen processors. AMD’s SenseMI[viii] technology is updated with Precision Boost 2, which enables 2nd Gen Ryzen processors to intelligently analyze the workload and computing environment and contributes in delivering the highest multiprocessing performance in their classes1.

Higher effective clock speeds on all 2nd Gen Ryzen processor cores can improve the performance of Ryzen processors in popular real-world applications like games, creativity and productivity applications2,3,4,5. Gaming experiences are beautifully smooth across popular resolutions from 1080p Ultra to 1440p High to 4K. And, select 2nd Gen Ryzen processors offer up to 20 percent faster content creation than the competition[ix], [x].

With XFR 2 technology on all AM4 platforms with 2nd Gen Ryzen processors, enthusiast PC builders will enjoy even higher performance[xi] in the presence of premium cooling[xii],[xiii]

Feature Advances

Designed with enthusiasts and high performance in mind, 2nd Gen Ryzen processors feature soldered integrated heatspreaders for superlative thermal transfer[xiv], and unlocked multipliers for simple, powerful overclocking5 control. Performance tuning, enabled by the new Ryzen Master 1.3 software, is easier than ever before, and now offers per-core overclocking5 with automatic identification of the potentially fastest cores.

For the first time, the entire line of 2nd Gen Ryzen processors include a world class AMD Wraith Cooler inside the retail box. The flagship AMD Ryzen 7 2700X CPU includes the new Wraith Prism cooler featuring premium thermal performance, an upgraded fan profile, and enhanced lighting capabilities with per-RGB controls.

Platform Advances

Optimized for the 2nd Gen Ryzen processors, new AMD X470 chipset is available on Socket AM4 motherboards now. In addition to enhanced memory compatibility and overclocking5 capability, these new motherboards come with a free download of the new AMD StoreMI technology software, which combines the speed of an SSD and the capacity of a traditional spinning hard disk into a single easy-to-manage drive for faster, smarter, and easier storage[xv].

Compatible with all current AM4 processors, the new X470 motherboards augment the existing 300-series motherboards, which are also compatible with the new 2nd Gen Ryzen processors with a firmware (BIOS) update. Many in-market motherboards already come with the updated BIOS, indicated by a “Ryzen Desktop 2000 Ready” label on the package.

For more than 45 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualization technologies ― the building blocks for gaming, immersive platforms and the datacenter. Hundreds of millions of consumers, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research facilities around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees around the world are focused on building great products that push the boundaries of what is possible. For more information about how AMD is enabling today and inspiring tomorrow, visit the AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) website, blog, Facebook and Twitter pages.

[i] Testing by AMD Performance labs as of 3/02/2018 on the following system. PC manufacturers may vary configurations yielding different results. Results may vary based on driver versions used. AMD System Config: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, ‘Turpan’ reference motherboard, 16GB of dual-channel DDR3-3200, GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Graphics Card, Graphics driver 390.77, and a Samsung 850 PRO 512GB SSD using the Windows 10 RS3 operating system. Intel System Config: Intel Core i7-8700K, Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Gaming5 motherboard, 16GB of dual-channel DDR3-3200, GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Graphics Card, Graphics driver 390.77, and a Samsung 850 PRO 512GB SSD using the Windows 10 RS3 operating system. Multiprocessing performance represented by Cinebench R15 nT multiprocessing performance. Processor class is defined here by competing price points between MSRP $380 and $220 USD. Suggested pricing found at ark.intel.com and amd.com. The Ryzen 7 2700X achieved a score of 1807 (1807/1405= up to 29% faster than the Core i7-8700K), while the Core i7-8700K (MSRP $370) achieved a score of 1405 (1405/1807= up to 78% as fast, or up to 22% slower than the Ryzen 7 2700X). The Ryzen 7 2700 (MSRP $299) achieved a score of 1569 (1569/1402=up to 12% faster than the Core i7-8700K), while the Core i7-8700 (MSRP $370) achieved a score of 1402 (1402/1569= up to 89% as fast, or up to 11% slower than the Ryzen 7 2700). The Ryzen 5 2600X (MSRP $249) achieved a score of 1380 (1380/1029= up to 34% faster than the Core i5-8600K), while the Core i5-8600K (MSRP $258) achieved a score of 1029 (1029/1380= up to 75% as fast, or up to 25% slower than the Ryzen 5 2600X). The Ryzen 5 2600 (MSRP $249) achieved a score of 1297 (1297/1026= up to 26% faster than the Core i5-8600K), while the Core i5-8600 (MSRP $258) achieved a score of 1026 (1026/1297= up to 79% as fast, or up to 21% slower than the Ryzen 5 2600). RZ2-2

[xii] AMD defines premium processor cooling as a combination of ambient temperature and thermal solution that results in processor temperatures below 60 degrees Celsius while the CPU is processing the system workload. GD-118